AIMS: Self-care of heart failure (HF) is a process that is important, complex, and challenging. Little is understood of the contextual factors influencing self-care. We aimed to examine the individual and contextual factors perceived by patients and their informal caregivers' to influence their willingness and capacity to undertake effective HF self-care. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 42 patients with HF (NYHA Class II and III, mean age: 76 years, 64% males) and 30 nominated caregivers (63% spouses). All patients experienced severe and intrusive HF symptoms; a large proportion of patients practiced some of the range of recommended self-care activities. However, links between knowledge of HF and self-care were weak and long delays in seeking professional care were frequent. Factors consistently reported to influence self-care were faith in health professionals, beliefs about the local health system, and values linked to work associated with place, history, and culture. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of HF and its management is a necessary though not sufficient determinant of HF self-care. Individual and contextual factors influence willingness and capacity to undertake effective HF self-care.
AIMS: Self-care of heart failure (HF) is a process that is important, complex, and challenging. Little is understood of the contextual factors influencing self-care. We aimed to examine the individual and contextual factors perceived by patients and their informal caregivers' to influence their willingness and capacity to undertake effective HF self-care. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 42 patients with HF (NYHA Class II and III, mean age: 76 years, 64% males) and 30 nominated caregivers (63% spouses). All patients experienced severe and intrusive HF symptoms; a large proportion of patients practiced some of the range of recommended self-care activities. However, links between knowledge of HF and self-care were weak and long delays in seeking professional care were frequent. Factors consistently reported to influence self-care were faith in health professionals, beliefs about the local health system, and values linked to work associated with place, history, and culture. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of HF and its management is a necessary though not sufficient determinant of HF self-care. Individual and contextual factors influence willingness and capacity to undertake effective HF self-care.
Authors: Crystal W Cené; Beth Haymore; Jeffrey P Laux; Feng-Chang Lin; Dana Carthron; Debra Roter; Lisa A Cooper; Patricia P Chang; Brian C Jensen; Paula F Miller; Giselle Corbie-Smith Journal: Patient Educ Couns Date: 2016-09-03
Authors: Sandra B Dunbar; Patricia C Clark; Carolyn M Reilly; Rebecca A Gary; Andrew Smith; Frances McCarty; Melinda Higgins; Daurice Grossniklaus; Nadine Kaslow; Jennifer Frediani; Carolyn Dashiff; Richard Ryan Journal: J Card Fail Date: 2013-10-29 Impact factor: 5.712